Here he is (well, I'm not sure if it's a he or a she - I
don't know how to tell the difference) the "master of camouflage."
It's a small lizard known as a Chameleon. You'll find these little guys all
over Florida.
They're quite harmless and very fast. They're also quite
small. I suggest they are like squirrels are up north, everywhere. The reason I
call them the masters of camouflage is because these little guys can change
their color through a broad spectrum, when you include all the degrees of
intensity, to blend into their surroundings and become less invisible to their
predators.
And speaking of predators, it appears our small friend had
an encounter with one of several potential predators. Chameleon's usually have
a long tail tapering down to a sharp point. You'll notice this little fellow
has a short stubby tail. The Chameleon will break off its tail should a
predator capture him by the tail. This is another defense mechanism in addition
to his ability to change colors and blend into his environment. What you may or
may not be aware of is that the little Chameleon will grow a new tail in just a
few weeks. Handy, huh?
I caught this photo on a seawall in Vero Beach, Florida while
sitting on a nearby park bench having a pleasant conversation with my friend, Richard
Rosen.
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